Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy has an incidence of one in 500, but has a wide range of ages for when it presents itself. Although it generally presents in early adulthood, but it also presents in children. The incidence is one in 500
Medical treatment for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy begins with medication treatment prior to pursuing the very difficult surgical intervention.
The surgery, called a myectomy, involves opening up the aorta and can lead to possible damage while working with very small parts of the heart.
In the following video, Dr. Joseph Dearani, details the symptoms that necessitate surgery such as shortness of breath or chest pain, while discussing the differences between adults and children.
Lastly, he discusses different questions that patients will have with this condition such as: The risk of surgical intervention? Will I live longer? Will I ever need a transplant? Will it reduce sudden cardiac death? Will there be any limits on activity?